- After nearly three years of what seemed like a harmonious partnership, Shallipopi and Dapper Music have officially gone their separate ways, but not without a storm of controversy.
- The rapper, seething with a sense of betrayal and injustice, unleashed a fiery tirade on social media, laying bare his grievances.
- He accused Dapper of shattering the foundation of trust that once existed between them, pointing fingers at a web of deceit, financial manipulation, and an alarming lack of transparency.
Buzzing rapper Shallipopi has shaken the music industry to its core with the announcement of his dramatic split from Dapper Music, a record label owned by CEO Damilola Akinwunmi, widely recognized as Dapper and lover of culinary sensation Hilda Baci.
Since his meteoric rise to fame in 2022, Shallipopi had been under Dapper Music’s banner, but the partnership has now ended in a public and fiery fallout.
On December 11, 2024, Shallipopi took to Instagram to drop the bombshell in an emotionally charged statement, laying bare his grievances against the label.
The rapper described this decision as not only the most painful of his career but also a bold stand for creatives everywhere who pour their hearts and souls into their craft, only to be met with betrayal and exploitation.
Shallipopi accused Dapper Music of shattering the foundation of their partnership through a breach of trust and persistent lack of transparency. The rapper’s anger was palpable as he detailed how the label allegedly manipulated his career for personal gain
He wrote;
“I come to you today with a heavy heart but an unshakable determination. I’m Crown Uzama, your Shallipopi, and l’ve made one of the toughest decisions of my career. Today, I’m officially ending my agreements with Dapper Music and Dupper Digital. This wasn’t a choice I made lightly, but it’s a step I had to take after my trust was broken, my finances mishandled, and my rights as an artist were disregarded.
“This is bigger than just me. It’s about every artist and creator who pours their soul into their work, only to face betrayal and exploitation from people who should be looking out for them. It’s about standing up for fairness, integrity, and the respect that we all deserve.”
One of the most explosive revelations was the claim of a glaring conflict of interest, accused Dapper Music of reportedly coercing him into signing a publishing deal with its subsidiary, Dvpper Digital, essentially controlled both his creative output and financial rights.
He continued;
“‘Dapper Music and Entertainment Limited, my management company, pushed me into a deal with Dupper Digital Limited, another company owned by the same person(s). Instead of prioritizing my growth, they prioritized their own profits, putting my career and dreams at risk.”
Shallipopi expressed outrage over the label’s handling of his earnings, accused Dapper Music of withholding crucial financial details and deliberately obscuring the true state of his royalties. Despite repeated efforts to get clarity on his financials, Shallipopi alleged that every attempt was stonewalled, left him in the dark about the fruits of his labor.
He wrote;
“I’ve worked hard, and like anyone, I deserve to know where my money is going. Despite repeated requests, I was denied access to clear financial records of my money. Imagine not knowing how much you’ve earned or where it’s gone. This is devastating and unacceptable.”
Perhaps the most damning allegation of all was Shallipopi’s claim that Dapper Music attempted to trap him in a predatory “forever contract.” According to the rapper, this contract would have entitled the label to a staggering 30% of his revenues indefinitely, effectively chaining him to the label’s control for life.
He added;
“They tried to lock me into a contract where they’d take 30% of my earnings forever, even after we parted ways. Even after they no longer work for me, they want to continue to take a whole 30% of my earnings in perpetuity. That’s not just unfair, it’s exploitation and it is cruel.”
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